Dena Adams, Northwest Guilford Middle School:

“Performing at conference is the single best performance opportunity for both the singers and their director if they are seasoned performers. The singers know they are performing for a knowledgeable audience and prepare like never before. Focus and concentration is highlighted and their ability to deliver musical applications skyrockets because they become highly motivated.  There is no slow start as you begin the year with a clearly defined goal and dive in from day one. This experience, coming early in the year, sets a high standard for the remainder of the year. My group who performed at conference has continued to soar in their understanding of choral performance.”

Leigh Walters, Thomas Jefferson Middle School:

“In November 2007, my students had the distinct pleasure of performing at the NCMEA In-Service Convention. It was the performance that surpassed all other performances. To be auditioned and selected in itself was an honor. In my district, Chorus meets every other day for 45 minutes; therefore, my chorus had five weeks to prepare the music for this performance.  My singers came to class eager to sing, motivated and focused.  After the performance, I thought my students might relax their classroom performance expectations, but clearly I was wrong.  They continued to sing more demanding music and became leaders in the classroom. Simply stated, ‘children will rise to meet your expectations.’ Performing for NCMEA was exhilarating, exciting and exhausting, but I would definitely perform again.”